Elliott and Abi came down from Kissimmee for a bridal shower on Saturday and for Elliott's ordination service on Sunday. We were so blessed to have not just them, but Nanny & Papaw, and Lil Bro come in for the weekend!
Abi closed at work Friday night, and apparently ate some "bad chinese food," so she was ill upon their arrival at 2:30 a.m. Saturday. We let her sleep in until 8:30 before awakening her so she could get ready for the 10:00 a.m. bridal shower hosted by Cathy Aldhizer and put on by the ladies of VCC.
Lil Bro arrived about 8:20 a.m. Saturday, having chosen to stay home with the kitties on Friday night. Only Nanny and Papaw were "brave enough" to get here Friday night.
We (and by we, I mean Elliott and I) had planned on going to the beach while the girls were having their shower, but God had others plans. It was a stormy, rainy Saturday morning, so we chilled in the living room waiting for football to start so we could enjoy the hi def football experience. It was quite nice.
Our male bonding time was rudely interrupted by the girls returning bearing many gifts. Of course, Elliott was obligated to look them all over and at least feign excitement. He was genuinely excited by most of the gifts, we just had to give him a hard time.
More football, followed by card games, naps and the coveted Fall Back night of extra sleep followed. It was a truly good day.
On Sunday, we ordained Elliott into Christian Ministry. He has now been specifically set apart by the elders of Vero Christian Church for full time Christian Service as a music minister. That was a cool thing, if I do say so myself, and I do. I had the privilege of preaching the message that morning (check it out at our web site - www.verochristian.com and then go to the sermon page). It was an emotional and beautiful day.
We had Nachos for dinner Sunday in honor of the release of the movie Nacho Libre, and by four o'clock everyone was gone. Peggy and I caught our breaths and got ready for youth groups. We had about 25 in our house that night for our study in the book of Acts. What a weekend!
Tuesday, October 31, 2006
Thursday, October 26, 2006
Bluebird of Happiness
Emily spotted this bird hanging out in the Palm Trees in our mulch bed next to the house. The bird was quite calm and relaxed perched in the Palm Tree, enabling both Emily and me to take several close-up shots with the camera. Guess it is a sign, eh? The Bluebird of Happiness pays us a visit just before we have Elliott's ordination service on Sunday, and just after what he described as a very good day of interviewing and leading worship at a church that is interested in brining him on board. He describes that as his "dream job." We also will have a house full of family this weekend as Peggy's parents, my Lil Bro, Elliott, Abi and Tyler will all be here for the wedding shower/ordination weekend. Now, THAT, truly makes me happy.
Tuesday, October 17, 2006
Mom: Nov. 2, 1939-Oct. 17, 1993
This is my favorite picture of my Mom. I caputred her, despite her protestations, ironing! It was the summer of 1983, and she was up for a visit. She snuck out back at Grandpa's house hoping no one would notice, but I did! Mom hated to iron clothes. As I approached her with the camera, her finger started wagging and she commanded that I cease and desist. I disobeyed. The result is the picture you see above.
My Mom was one of my best friends as well as being my Mother. I tried to be the obedient eldest child, even though I had my lapses, like taking this photograph. I miss Mom more than words can express. You see, about ten years after this picture was taken, Mom found out that she had pancreatic cancer. She hadn't been sick, and by the time the docs diagnosed the cancer, she only had a few months left. I was in the position to be able to travel to Alabama on several occasions after her diagnosis, and did an extensive video interview with her. It is one of my most prized possessions to this day. I recently converted the tape to dvd. I still have never been ableto sit down and watch the entire thing in one sitting, but it is a comfort to beable to see Mom and hear her sage advice as well as her funny stories over and over again. My Mom was taken from this earth far too early for me. At 53, she was a young woman to have to battle a terminal illness. Seems like that has been the case for several women in our family.
So today, on the 13th anniversary of her passing, I just wanted to say: I love you, Mom, and I miss you so much. I long for the day when we are together in the presence of our Lord and Savior, Jesus.
Tuesday, October 10, 2006
Reflections on the Weekend
This past weekend, Peggy and I had the privilege of returning to the Tri-State because I was officiating the Whitney Bowe-Chris Ward wedding at Old Orchard. That was an honor beyond description for me. Whitney has stayed in close contact in the six years since we left KY for Florida, and she told me about 18 months ago that she wouldn't want anyone else to do her wedding ceremony. I gladly told her that I would be honored to officiate her wedding, and when the date was set, airline tickets were bought and the deal was sealed! The ceremony went well, a mixture of the seriousness of the ceremony along with a few little wise cracks from the minister (would you have expected any less?). It is so cool to see your "kids" growing up and staying focused. Lord knows there are plenty of our "youth group kids" who have not maintained that focus, but Whitney is doing great. Peggy and I love Chris dearly as well. He wasn't in our youth group, but he is one of our "kids" in every sense of the word.
I also got to see Alex, who is the kid of one of my youth group kids. I had the privilege of baptizing Alex into Christ a couple of years ago. Now, that is when you know you have been in youth ministry a while, when you baptize the children of your youth group kids! Anyway, Alex is doing well, actively involved in his church (Westwood Christian Church), and actively involved in his community as a junior volunteer fireman. That is way cool to see!
Oh, we saw plenty of family and friends over that whirlwind weekend (not everyone, but it just wasn't possible), including some that we just had no reason to expect to see. We continue to pray for our dear friend Tom Coomer who had suffered congestive heart failure earlier last week, and was in ICU while we were up there. We spent some time with Barbara in prayer at the hosptial, and we even got to see two more of our favorite youth group kids: Stacie and Kristen! Yeah, Stacie, now you'll even have to comment on this blog entry, eh? The joy of seeing our girls was an icing on the cake kind of deal for the weekend. And Tom? Well, the girls told us in church Sunday that he has improved greatly. Our prayers are that he continues on the road to recovery and gets home soon!
And finally, the only thing I really wanted to do on this trip other than the stated business for the trip, was to eat at Chili Willi's. It is by far the BEST Tex-Mex I have had since I left the state of Texas as a teenager. Ron Smith captured Peggy's and my taste buds 23 years ago when he opened the place, and a trip to the Huntington, WV, area is not complete without a stop at Chil Willi's! The Super Chicken Burrito and a cup of black bean soup just made my day and my weekend!
Of course we had one more stop to make in Huntington on that Friday afternoon: Glenn's Sporting Goods! Yes, we got our "We Are...Marshall" shirts and a hat for me among some other Herd regalia to bring home with us. We can't wait for the movie to come out on December 22nd, it's not like we have something else going on that day or anything...
I also got to see Alex, who is the kid of one of my youth group kids. I had the privilege of baptizing Alex into Christ a couple of years ago. Now, that is when you know you have been in youth ministry a while, when you baptize the children of your youth group kids! Anyway, Alex is doing well, actively involved in his church (Westwood Christian Church), and actively involved in his community as a junior volunteer fireman. That is way cool to see!
Oh, we saw plenty of family and friends over that whirlwind weekend (not everyone, but it just wasn't possible), including some that we just had no reason to expect to see. We continue to pray for our dear friend Tom Coomer who had suffered congestive heart failure earlier last week, and was in ICU while we were up there. We spent some time with Barbara in prayer at the hosptial, and we even got to see two more of our favorite youth group kids: Stacie and Kristen! Yeah, Stacie, now you'll even have to comment on this blog entry, eh? The joy of seeing our girls was an icing on the cake kind of deal for the weekend. And Tom? Well, the girls told us in church Sunday that he has improved greatly. Our prayers are that he continues on the road to recovery and gets home soon!
And finally, the only thing I really wanted to do on this trip other than the stated business for the trip, was to eat at Chili Willi's. It is by far the BEST Tex-Mex I have had since I left the state of Texas as a teenager. Ron Smith captured Peggy's and my taste buds 23 years ago when he opened the place, and a trip to the Huntington, WV, area is not complete without a stop at Chil Willi's! The Super Chicken Burrito and a cup of black bean soup just made my day and my weekend!
Of course we had one more stop to make in Huntington on that Friday afternoon: Glenn's Sporting Goods! Yes, we got our "We Are...Marshall" shirts and a hat for me among some other Herd regalia to bring home with us. We can't wait for the movie to come out on December 22nd, it's not like we have something else going on that day or anything...
Monday, October 02, 2006
Memories
I've been converting old home videos to dvd lately, and this morning I started working on the tape I made of my last couple of visits with Mom before she succumbed to pancreatic cancer. Bittersweet, for sure. It was heartwarming to see Mom interact with Elliott, Ian and Emily. It is always good to hear Mom's advice. I miss that more than words can adequately express. It will be 16 years this month since Mom passed away. That is mind-boggling to me.
Today would have been Mike Wilson's 48th birthday. My childhood best friend, and Best Man at our wedding was buried in Danville back in March. I miss not getting to call him today and remind him that he caught back up with me in the old age department.
The time period from mid-September to mid-October is pretty tough for me. In addition to Mike's birthday, I spend time remembering Granny and Grandpa Johnson both of whom passed away in that time period. I remember Barb whose birthday falls in that time period. I remember Mom who passed away in that time period. I remember the good times, the pleasant conversations, the advice given (some of it even taken), the prayers lifted up for those we love, and the prayers that God would give the strength needed to let go and say "see you later" to those loved ones. It is with mixed emotions that I go through this time of year. Much good has come from these tragic times, and for that I am eternally grateful. Much loss was suffered and is still felt from those tragic times. I praise God that He is there with me always. I praise God for the memories that bring a smile to my face even in the midst of the tears in my eyes.
Because of the hope I have in Jesus, I can get through the tough time period of mid-September through Mid-October. I can hear the old Geoff Moore and the Distance song, Listen To Our Hearts** and not cry too much. That was my theme song and prayer during Mom's illness. I can watch that video of my last several visits with Mom in small doses. I have never watched the entire hour and 42 minutes of footage in one sitting because it overwhelms me. I still believe that Jesus carried me through that most difficult time, as He has when my grandparents, Peggy's grandparents, two great aunts, Barb, and Mike all passed away.
I know this post has been kind of a "downer" overall in tone, but I am also here to say without hesitation that without Jesus, I couldn't have survived those difficult times. How people can traverse this life without Jesus is beyond me. The fact that I don't have to is something for which I give praise to God every day.
Memories. May Jesus inhabit them all. May His love in your life be so evident that even the toughest of times become an opportunity to give Him praise. He will be there for you and with you. Sometimes He Calms The Storm and other times He calms His child.
** Yes, I know the URL is for a different song title, but the lyric source I am using has the lyrics for "Listen To Our Hearts" on the "Live and Learn" page. Figures!
Today would have been Mike Wilson's 48th birthday. My childhood best friend, and Best Man at our wedding was buried in Danville back in March. I miss not getting to call him today and remind him that he caught back up with me in the old age department.
The time period from mid-September to mid-October is pretty tough for me. In addition to Mike's birthday, I spend time remembering Granny and Grandpa Johnson both of whom passed away in that time period. I remember Barb whose birthday falls in that time period. I remember Mom who passed away in that time period. I remember the good times, the pleasant conversations, the advice given (some of it even taken), the prayers lifted up for those we love, and the prayers that God would give the strength needed to let go and say "see you later" to those loved ones. It is with mixed emotions that I go through this time of year. Much good has come from these tragic times, and for that I am eternally grateful. Much loss was suffered and is still felt from those tragic times. I praise God that He is there with me always. I praise God for the memories that bring a smile to my face even in the midst of the tears in my eyes.
Because of the hope I have in Jesus, I can get through the tough time period of mid-September through Mid-October. I can hear the old Geoff Moore and the Distance song, Listen To Our Hearts** and not cry too much. That was my theme song and prayer during Mom's illness. I can watch that video of my last several visits with Mom in small doses. I have never watched the entire hour and 42 minutes of footage in one sitting because it overwhelms me. I still believe that Jesus carried me through that most difficult time, as He has when my grandparents, Peggy's grandparents, two great aunts, Barb, and Mike all passed away.
I know this post has been kind of a "downer" overall in tone, but I am also here to say without hesitation that without Jesus, I couldn't have survived those difficult times. How people can traverse this life without Jesus is beyond me. The fact that I don't have to is something for which I give praise to God every day.
Memories. May Jesus inhabit them all. May His love in your life be so evident that even the toughest of times become an opportunity to give Him praise. He will be there for you and with you. Sometimes He Calms The Storm and other times He calms His child.
** Yes, I know the URL is for a different song title, but the lyric source I am using has the lyrics for "Listen To Our Hearts" on the "Live and Learn" page. Figures!
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